And one of the best ways (besides speaking) to learn Spanish words and grammar is to read in Spanish. The problem? Textbooks are too basic (or too boring!), while novels are difficult for beginners.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a collection of Spanish reading resources that are perfect for beginner and intermediate Spanish learners. They’re easy to read, and just as important, they’re fun to read.

Grimm Stories in Spanish
The Brothers Grimm are known for collecting classic stories including Hansel y Gretel (Hansel and Gretel). What makes this website extra special is that each story is available in many different languages. You can compare, side by side, the Spanish version with one in your native language.

Wikipedia in Spanish
Believe it or not, you can get Spanish reading practice from Wikipedia. Search for any topic in your native language, and then click on the left column link for Spanish to be taken to the Spanish language version of that article. This is a great way to build topic-specific vocabulary.

Apps for Spanish Reading Practice

There are lots of apps that can help you practice your Spanish reading skills. Here are a few of the best..

Duolingo
Duolingo is a fun language learning app for iOS and Android. It provides a guided, gentle introduction to Spanish, with quizzes and reading exercises.

FluentU Spanish
FluentU curates the best Spanish videos on the web and provides reading tools to help you study them effectively.

Cat Academy
This free app combines the appeal of cats with the language learning power of SRS (Spaced Repetition Systems, more on these in a moment).

Paid Resources to Help You Build Your Spanish Reading Skills

All the resources I’ve shared so far have been free. But if you want results fast, you might consider investing in paid products.

Spanish Pod 101
I’m a big fan of Innovative Language podcasts. What you might not realise is that all their materials include downloadable transcripts so you can practice your reading right along with your listening.

Yabla Spanish
I love Yabla. They’ve curated the best video content they can find online over a range of fun topics, and they host the videos on their site with precisely timed subtitles in both English and Spanish. A great way to practise your reading!

Coffee Break Spanish
This programme by the Radio Lingua Network provides audio-focused lesson. You can also get downloadable transcripts to help with your reading comprehension.

4 Hacks to Help You Speed Up Your Spanish Reading Progress

Here are my top tips to help you cut hours off your study time, so you can become a Spanish reader faster than you ever thought possible.

Improve Your Recall with Spaced Repetition Systems
SRS is the best way I know to quickly learn new words. SRS prompts you to recall new words when you’re on the verge of forgetting them. This makes them stick in your long-term memory. My favourite SRS tool is the Anki flashcard app (for iOS and Android).